
HEMIPTERA. EET 
M. Solier, in a memoir inserted in the “ Annales de la Société 
Entomologique de France,” says that its song, very loud and very 
piercing, seems formed of one single note, repeated with rapidity, 
which insensibly grows weaker fie a certain time, and terminates in 
a kind of whistle, which can be partly imitated by pronouncing the 
two consonants s?¢, and which resembles the noise of the air coming’ 
out of a little opening in a compressed bladder. When the Cicada 
sings, it moves its abdomen violently, in such a manner as alter- 
‘nately to move it away and to bring it near to the little covers of 
the sonorous cavities ; to this movement is added a shght trembling 
of the mesothorax. 
The same entomologist relates a very interesting observation 
made on this species of Cicada by his friend, M. Boyer, a chemist 
at Aix, and which he himself verified. The Cicada, in general, 
are very timid, and fly away at the least noise. However, when a 
Cicada is singing one can approach it, whistling the while ina 
quavering manner, and imitating as nearly as possible its ery ; but 
in such a manner as to predominate over it. The insect then 
descends a small space down the tree, as if to approach the 
whistler; then it stops. But if one present a stick to it, continu- 
ing to whistle, the Cicada settles on it and begins again to descend 
backwards. From time to time it stops, as if to listen. At last, 
attracted, and, as it were, fascinated by the harmony of the whistle, 
it comes to the observer himself. 
‘= M. Boyer managed thus to make a Cicada, which continued to 
sing as long as he whistled in harmony with it, settle on his nose. 
Charmed by this concert, the insect seemed to have lost its 
natural timidity. 
The Cicada orni is of a greenish yellow, spotted with black. 
‘The abdomen is encircled by the same colours. The elytra 
and the wings are hyaline, or glassy, and their veins alternately 
yellow and brown. The legs are yellow throughout. The song 
of this species is hoarse, and cannot be heard at any great 
distance. 
M. Solier, in the work we quoted just now, says that the song 
‘of this Cicada is of a deeper intonation, but that it is quick and is 
sooner over. It does not terminate in the manner which charac- 
terises that of the other species. 



